Paralympians back Inspiring Mansfield

Paralympic swimming stars Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw are backing the Inspiring Mansfield community events which aim to capture the Olympic spirit and showcase the variety of sport Mansfield has to offer.

Paralympic swimming stars Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw are backing the Inspiring Mansfield community events which aim to capture the Olympic spirit and showcase the variety of sport Mansfield has to offer.

As part of Inspiring Mansfield, which has been awarded the Inspire 2012 Mark, children have been competing in a tri-athletics challenge at their primary schools to see who can run the fastest, jump and throw the furthest.

On Thursday 31 May, children at Rosebrook Primary School will be taking part in the tri-athletics challenge and Paralympic swimmers Charlotte Henshaw and Ollie Hynd will be paying a visit to the event and will present the school with its Inspiring Mansfield Torch.

The overall winners from each primary school will go through to the semi-final held at their local secondary school.

The semi finals will take place at:

Meden School and Technology College on 18 June

Queen Elizabeth's Academy on 19 June

Samworth Church Academy on 20 June

All Saints' Catholic School on 21 June

The Manor Academy on 22 June

The Brunts Academy on 25 June

Garibaldi College on 26 June

As well as the tri-athletics competition there will also be a climbing wall, BMX displays, Mansfield Town Football in the Community, plus much more.

Winners from each event will then compete for gold, silver and bronze at the grand finale on 27 June at Berry Hill Park, the day before the Olympic torch relay comes to Mansfield.

The finale will also showcase local sports clubs with details of how to join, for those who have been inspired to get into sport by the summer games. There will also be a parade which will include children representing each of the schools within the District.

Inspiring Mansfield torches will be given to every school so that every child has the opportunity to hold a torch and feel part of this historic event.

The Executive Mayor of Mansfield, Tony Egginton, said: "The Inspiring Mansfield events will capture the excitement of the Olympics and bring together the community to celebrate a truly historic occasion. Mansfield has produced its own world class athletes and we hope these events will inspire the next generation to get involved in sports and aspire to become the next Rebecca Adlington OBE, Sam Hynd, Charlotte Henshaw or Ollie Hynd.

"As part of the project every primary school in the District will receive their own Inspiring Mansfield torch and as many children as possible will be given the opportunity to carry it. Although Mansfield will see the official torch as it makes its way to London, very few people will have the opportunity to actually hold it. Seeing the official torch will inspire people, being able to hold an Inspiring Mansfield torch will fire the imagination."

Inspiring Mansfield has been organised by Mansfield District Council, the Mansfield Area Strategic Partnership, Nottinghamshire County Council, Vision West Notts, Sport Nottinghamshire and all schools within the District.